The Resort Blog » Elkmont

Annual Synchronized Firefly Show

admin — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 16:21:06 +0000

The first few weeks of June in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Mother Nature treats us with the annual lightshow of the synchronized fireflies. There are 12 species of the flashing fireflies know to inhabit the park. The “flashing” is caused by a chemical reaction in the firefly’s body.
Thus year the City of Gatlinburg will provide trolley service to the Elkmont Campground through June 12, as park officials will close the entrance road to Elkmont to all vehicles and pedestrians daily at 5PM until midnight. Registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground will be exempt from this road closure. Due to safety concerns visitors will not be allowed to walk the Elkmont entrance.
The trolleys will pick up visitors at the Sugarland’s Visitor Center parking area at 7PM until the parking area is full or until 9PM which ever occurs first. The last return trolley from Elkmont will depart at 11PM. The roundtrip cost is $1 per person. There is no overflow parking at the Sugarland’s Visitor Center, and restrictions will be enforced, so arrive early.
It is recommended that visitors bring flashlights with red cellophane covers to reduce white light. Visitors may bring lawn chairs, and carry food & water in backpacks but these items must be able to fit on their laps while on the trolleys. There are no services available at the site and coolers, alcoholic beverages, and pets are strictly prohibited.

“Friends of the Smokies” Needs Your Help

admin — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:54:07 +0000

The “Friends of the Smokies” requests your help in securing grant money that will aid in saving 19 historic buildings in the Elkmont area. An on-line poll, called Save Our Sites, is being sponsored by Tourism Cares. Participants can vote for their favorite among the seven sites listed.
The Tourism Cares organization seeks to preserve natural and historic areas that are tourist destinations. The amount the grant is unknown and will be determined by donations given to the effort on the Save Our Sites web site.
Voting is free; you are not required to make a donation. Cast your vote to help Elkmont and The Great Smoky Mountains.

Outdoor Recreation in the Smokies

admin — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:14:58 +0000

The Knoxville News has been running articles through out the year on The Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrating its 75th Anniversary. The newest articles feature outdoor activities in the park.

·   Take a hike, but there’s more to explore
·   Brook Trout Luring Fisherman
·   Putting Up Camp
·   Everett hooked on hiking Smokies
·   ‘Idyllic’ Elkmont passing into the shadows
·   Survey shows scenic driving is most popular

Elkmont Historic District Restoration Plans

admin — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:09:56 +0000

The Elkmont Historic District Final Environmental Impact Statement and General Management Plan Amendment has been published in the Federal Register. The plan outlines the park’s plan for the vacant structures at Elkmont.

The Elkmont Historic District contains 74 vacant structures built in the early 1900s as a logging camp that was turned into a summer resort community prior to the establishment of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 1934.

The plan proposes to preserve 18 cabins plus the Appalachian Clubhouse. Plans call for the clubhouse to be made available for public rental for day-use events after restoration. The remaining structures will be documented and then removed.